West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
The Washington State Lottery just sent us that photo with word that 85-year-old Mabel Aide, who’s lived in West Seattle since 1945, just hit the Hit 5 jackpot – $160,000. According to the lottery’s communications team, she and her best friend always play together – he calls the hotline and reads her the numbers – she thought she had four out of five, then doublechecked, and realized she hit all five. First reaction? “Relief.” What’ll she do with the money? Pay off bills and her mortgage, and travel, she told the lottery folks. By the way, she bought the ticket at Jefferson Square Safeway – which gets $1,600 for selling it.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
“It’s out of the oven!”
So proclaims nationally renowned food writer Kim O’Donnel of her new book “The Meat Lover’s Meatless Cookbook,” published this month, and new this week on West Seattle shelves (at Click! Design That Fits [WSB sponsor]).
O’Donnel is a relatively recent West Seattle transplant – one year so far on Alki, after a couple years elsewhere in Seattle following a move from “the other Washington,” where she was a longtime food writer for the Washington Post, for which she also hosted Web chats and produced a series of online cooking videos long before such things were commonplace.
“The other Washington” also is where she was when we spoke by phone earlier this week, as she started a national tour for “The Meat Lover’s Meatless Cookbook” (the tour will of course bring her back here for readings/signings, too), which suggests one meatless menu for every week of the year.
Right off the top, we should mention, O’Donnel is not a vegetarian (as you’ll hear her explain in the promotional video clip atop this story).
In case you missed the mention in WSB coverage of this week’s West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting – this Saturday, local police are helping with the coast-to-coast National Take Back Initiative event, inviting people to clean out their medicine cabinets to reduce the risk that old/unused prescriptions will be abused or otherwise misused/inappropriately disposed of. Sandra points out that there are two collection points listed for West Seattle between 10 am and 2 pm on Saturday – not just the Southwest Precinct (Delridge/Webster) but also the High Point Walgreens parking lot (6330 35th SW). There’s more information on SPD Blotter.
From last night’s Highland Park Action Committee meeting – news of a candidates’ forum in a nearby neighborhood, air-traffic-research updates, and the latest business spotlight – read on for the toplines:Read More
(Photo of the morning, by smohundro, from the WSB Flickr pool)
Welcome to fall! It officially arrived last night. A few notes from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar: As the saying goes, you’re not getting older, you’re getting better. So consider having your voice heard during “Aging Your Way: Conversation for Community Change,” tonight at 5:30 pm at Fauntleroy Church … On the early end of the age spectrum, Toddler Story Time resumes today at High Point Library, 11:30 am … Got something to say about the possibility of using certain city tennis courts (there’s no official list yet) for non-tennis sports (dodgeball is most frequently mentioned)? The city Parks Board has a public hearing during its meeting tonight at Parks HQ downtown (100 Dexter N.), 7 pm … Traffic advisory: The outside eastbound lane is scheduled to be closed on the Admiral Way Bridge for drain work 9 am-3 pm … At ArtsWest (WSB sponsor), “reasons to be pretty” continues tonight, 7:30 pm (here’s its thumbs-up Seattle Times review).
ADDED 9:06 AM: Also notable – a big cross-town rivalry game at Hiawatha Playfield today – girls’ soccer, WSHS vs. Chief Sealth, both of whom are undefeated in conference play, 3:30 pm.
In honor of Active Living Week, bonus activities have continued all week at Merrill Gardens‘ two West Seattle locations (both WSB sponsors) – pictured above is Colleen Barnes leading bingo during a cruise-themed day of fun on Tuesday at Merrill Gardens-West Seattle (4611 35th SW), and this afternoon at Merrill Gardens-Admiral Heights (2326 SW California), there’s more fun and games, with a casino theme. As Admiral Heights’ community-relations director Lee Ann Tucker Thierrault puts it, “Come play with us! … No-risk gaming – we supply the chips, you go home with the prizes!” They’re planning blackjack, roulette, and craps tables, plus musical entertainment including an Elvis impersonator, and a “free Las Vegas-style buffet,” 3-6 pm today. It’s all an example of the active lifestyle that MG says defies what you may think life at a retirement community is like. If you’re interested in checking out today’s event, by the way, RSVP to 206-938-3964.
NEIGHBORHOOD STREET FUND: As first reported here in early August, two West Seattle projects are getting money from the Neighborhood Street Fund “Large Projects” allotment – and tonight, those two were among 11 citywide formally announced by the mayor. In what the city calls the Southwest District – basically western West Seattle – crossing improvements are on the way for three California SW intersections: Othello, Frontenac, and Findlay. And in the Delridge Neighborhoods District – basically eastern West Seattle – 25th SW between Brandon and Juneau is in for improvements including curbs and street-widening.
MAYOR’S BUDGET-UNVEILING SCHEDULE: Next Monday is the day we’ll find out just what the mayor proposes to cut to make up for a big budget shortfall, and the schedule of events for the day is out. It’ll start with a “budget address” that is open to the public, noon Monday at the Rainier Beach Community Center. “Limited seating,” warns the mayor’s office, so they will stream it online at seattle.gov/mayor/budget. Then the mayor officially presents the budget to the City Council at 2 pm, and will answer media questions after that.
Thomas Qualls, the Alki man shot by police when he allegedly fired at them, was in court this morning. King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office spokesperson Dan Donohoe says he pleaded not guilty to three counts of second-degree assault (each of which has a “firearms enhancement”). He remains in jail, where he’s been since he was released from the hospital five days after the September 3rd shooting; his next court date is October 6th. (For the police narrative of how the incident reportedly unfolded, see our story from the day charges were filed.)
Another milestone bringing the Delridge Skatepark closer to reality: Bids for the project were opened today, according to Seattle Parks‘ Kelly Davidson, who’s leading the project. She notes that nothing is final immediately – so this doesn’t necessarily mean the low bidder gets the contract: “We have a lot of paperwork to complete before this contract can be awarded. The process to review and approve all necessary paperwork usually takes at minimum two weeks. This contract will not be considered awarded until all documentation has been approved by the City.” That said – TF Sahli Construction – which built the two-year-old Lower Woodland skatepark – appears to be the low bidder, at $413,000; second lowest was Grindline Skateparks, the West Seattle firm that designed the Delridge project (subcontracting for Abbotswood, Davidson clarifies; final design shown above) – $502,000; A-1 Landscaping and Construction came in third at $576,000; Construct Company, LLC, was the high bid at $589,000. Construction is expected to start next month. THURSDAY MORNING NOTE: Matthew Lee Johnston, a West Seattleite who’s on the Skatepark Advisory Committee and runs seattleskateparks.org, has published his thoughts on this there.
We’ve got word of two PTSA meetings in the next two nights (and we welcome you sharing your announcement of any others) – first, from Lashanna:
Tonight Pathfinder K-8 will be having its 1st General PTSA meeting of the year. Our agenda is packed full of information about our school, what we do and how to get involved. Our goals this year are continued Academic Success and Community Building. You do not have to be a PTSA member to join, but you can join at the meeting! The meeting will be 6:30-8:00 pm in our cafeteria. We are excited about this upcoming year would be honored to have your participation in helping make our community ROCK (more) :)
And tomorrow night is the first PTSA meeting of the year at Chief Sealth International High School – 7 pm tomorrow (Thursday) – details on the school’s home page.
Melissa e-mailed to say that she and neighbors in the 1700 block of Walnut (map) are noticing “brown water” this morning. No word so far from Seattle Public Utilities of any particular problems – SPU has a webpage (see it here) suggesting steps to take if you notice a problem like that at your home/office.
(Editor’s note: If any new information comes out tonight, we’ll add it to this story)
9:43 AM: Thanks to the tipsters who let us know about a huge police presence at Roxhill Park (map). SPD says via Twitter, “Murder investigation at Roxhill Park, SW Cambridge St and 29 Avenue SW. Homicide, CSI and PIO are on scene. More information to come.” We have just arrived on scene. Obviously there’s no access to the park, so steer clear of the area. 9:48 AM UPDATE: What’s known so far: Someone walking through the park this morning discovered a body and phoned the Fire Department around 7:30 am, and SFD in turn called police, according to SPD’s Det. Mark Jamieson, who tells us the body is that of an adult male who appeared to have suffered “homicidal violence.” The park is closed till further notice. The body has not yet been taken away by the Medical Examiner. Here’s a wider view of the scene:
10:44 AM NOTE: No new information so far. We’re watching SPD Blotter, where police have promised to post any available updates, and will be checking back at the scene in a bit. By our records check, this is the first murder in West Seattle in more than a year and a half, since the Fauntleroy/Dawson case.
3:47 PM UPDATE: Police have finally issued a statement on SPD Blotter – the only additional information is the apparent cause of death:
On September 22nd around 7:30 a.m. officers responded with Seattle Fire Department personnel to a report of a body lying next to a gravel path inside Roxhill Park, located in the 9200 Block of 29th Avenue Southwest. Officers and firefighters arrived and discovered a deceased adult male. It appears that the male may have been beaten. Homicide and CSI detectives responded to the scene and began their investigation. Anyone with information on this crime is urged to contact the Seattle Police Homicide Unit at (206) 684-5550.
Several citywide media organizations are quoting family members as identifying the victim as a 40-year-old man. We are not publishing an ID until and unless it’s released by authorities.
(Picture of the morning: Mike’s iPhone photo of our peninsula as seen from his workplace across the bay)
Feels like fall got here a week or so ago – but tonight, it’s here for real – just after 8 pm our time. Mark the occasion by watching the sunset from West Seattle’s Solstice Park (map) with Alice Enevoldsen, publisher of Alice’s Astro Info and NASA Solar System Ambassador – sunset’s at 7:07 pm, show up around 6:30 and talk about the universe … Also tonight, Highland Park Action Committee welcomes neighbors to come talk about what’s up in the neighborhood, 7 pm at HP Improvement Club (12th/Holden; map) … Feel like dancing? Beginning East Coast Swing (6:30 pm) and Zydeco (7:45 pm) classes continue tonight at Alki Community Center (5817 SW Stevens; map) – you can sign up there and/or call Lilli Ann with questions at 206-264-5646 … There’s more on the WSB West Seattle Events calendar! (And be sure to let us know if you’ve got something coming up and would like to see it on the calendar.)
Preventing and tracking crime were the main points of discussion at Tuesday night’s West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting, first time the group’s met since June – members voted earlier this year to change the bylaws to skip July and August meetings. Toplines – including which crimes are up, who’s on the street, and a one-day chance to clean out your medicine cabinet – ahead:Read More
From a WSB’er who wants to be anonymous, a disturbing door-to-door visit – plus, a door-to-door note about someone who probably IS legit – both ahead:Read More
ORIGINAL 5:18 PM UPDATE: Our partners at the Seattle Times are reporting that charges have been filed against two men in connection with the May 25th beating of a teenager in Highland Park. According to the Times report, they are the same two men questioned by police the morning the teenager was found beaten and bloodied, saying his attackers had made racist remarks (here’s our June report with the narrative from the police report); the report also says they are charged with robbery and malicious harassment, and that they are not in custody (which our check of the jail register confirms). We are looking up the court documents and will add more to the story when we get them.
7:05 PM UPDATE: One of the suspects is now booked into jail – 21-year-old Jonathan Baquiring was jailed less than an hour ago, according to the King County Jail Register.
7:27 PM UPDATE: Southwest Precinct Lt. Norm James is talking more about the case at the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting, which we’re covering right now at the precinct. He says the Anti-Crime Team picked up Baquiring within an hour of getting word of the warrant, which seeks to have both (the other is 22-year-old Ahmed Y. Mohamed) held in lieu of half a million dollars bail each.
10:35 PM UPDATE: We now have downloaded the court documents. While most of the narrative is exactly the same as the original police report transcribed in our June report and linked above, this one contains, in the charging paperwork, the statement: “The only motivation for the defendants appears to have been money and the race of the victim” (the “malicious harassment” charge acknowledges the fact it’s an alleged hate crime). And there is information about the DNA evidence – read on:Read More
Two quick updates resulting from our check with SDOT today: The 16th SW rebuild north of South Seattle Community College is on schedule to be done by month’s end, as expected, provided the weather cooperates, according to Marybeth Turner. And if you’re wondering when crews will start striping Admiral Way north of the West Seattle Bridge, for the relatively minor changes that were announced instead of a “road diet,” that may happen later than announced: While SDOT had said “mid- to late September,” Turner says they’re only committing now to have it done by the end of October. (Project pages: 16th SW here, Admiral Way here.)
Three West Seattle Crime Watch notes this morning. First, Howard in North Admiral is asking that you be on the lookout for his stolen car, a graphite-gray 2010 Subaru Outback 3.6R (which would look like this), license plate starting with AAV, taken from outside his home in the 3700 block of SW Grayson (map) late last night or early today. He believes another car nearby was prowled at the same time; call police (206-625-5011) if you have any information. Also, via Facebook, Regan reports a car prowl at 112th & Marine View Drive (map), with some items from the car “found down the street.”
(added 11:52 am) Shortly after we published this, we received another note about car prowls, and it makes more sense to add it here than to publish a separate item: Someone smashed the window of Brian’s 2008 Chevy Avalanche overnight, in the 7100 block of Wright (map), north of Lincoln Park. He shared the photo shown at right. The truck was ransacked, with a Bluetooth headset the only item missing. Brian says the same thing happened overnight to a neighbor’s vehicle, and that there have been several other car break-ins in their neighborhood recently.
(back to original 11:10 am report) Also: A West Seattle crime survivor is telling her story: The 68-year-old woman targeted in a “home invasion” robbery in Highland Park on August 26th talked with KING 5, which aired her story last night, after the two suspects’ arraignment:
As the KING report notes, the two suspects, 37-year-old George Augustine, Jr., and 45-year-old Sean Oie, pleaded not guilty. We reported the filing of charges on September 7th, following our story a few days earlier with the lengthy narrative of how police say it happened.
Reminder: West Seattle Crime Prevention Council tonight, 7 pm, Southwest Precinct (map).
After hearing from Jennifer, Amanda, and Scott C about a Comcast outage affecting some in High Point and Gatewood (anyone else?), we checked directly with the company, whose local spokesperson Steve Kipp tells us, “The outage is related to the power outages that occurred in the area due to the transformer fire on Delridge” (WSB outage/fire coverage here) – possibly, according to the person he checked with, the fault of a surge when the power started returning. He adds, “We have technicians working on the scene now. I will let you know as soon as repairs are completed. I also will post updates on Twitter at @comcastwa. 12:21 PM UPDATE: Latest tweet from that account says the outage is 75 percent fixed (that leaves about 700 people affected, according to Kipp). 2:27 PM UPDATE: And Comcast now says everybody should be back up.
There’s still room on the (free!) van for a guided (free!) tour of five West Seattle P-Patch gardens this Saturday (September 25) – meet up with the group at the Delridge Neighborhood Service Center (map) at 1 pm, and spend two hours taking a fresh look at neighborhood treasures around the peninsula – including the site of the future Roxhill P-Patch (citywide map here). The city just needs you to RSVP – a quick online process here. (That same page has info on similar tours elsewhere in the city.)
(Picture of the morning: Before Monday got super-busy for SFD – with the SODO industrial fire and the Delridge fire/outage, among other calls – Deanie Schwarz photographed the Ladder 13 crew at Morningstar Deli in Highland Park)
From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar: The West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meets for the first time since June, 7 pm at the Southwest Precinct meeting room (Delridge/Webster) … Merrill Gardens at West Seattle (WSB sponsor) is celebrating Active Living Week with a cruise theme, including cruise-travel presentations by AAA Travel at 1 and 6 pm, cruise-type activities including bingo (2:30 pm) and spa treatments, a gift shop, and games (call 206-926-9724 with questions) … Skylark Café and Club (WSB sponsor) starts the night with open turntables at 6, followed by the monthly Alauda belly-dance showcase … West Seattle Community Orchestras (formerly Westside Symphonette) rehearse at Chief Sealth International High School tonight … And while it’s not in West Seattle, this could be of interest: The city’s proposing new tree regulations, including some that are looser than current rules; they’ll be reviewed at an open house tonight at City Hall, 5:30 pm (with presentations starting at 6), details here.
Tonight, Alki’s peppy boutique Coastal is hosting a Customer Appreciation Night event, 5-8 pm. You might want to go show some Retailer Appreciation if you’re a Coastal fan – the shop has announced that “for the first time since our first winter,” they will shut down for the offseason. The closure starts October 4th and they expect to reopen on or around March 25th. But Coastal insists, “Please do not take this as a bad sign!” They explain why you shouldn’t, in their online announcement.
Two unique fundraisers coming up in West Seattle before the end of the month – first one this Sunday, “Wine in the Woods,” benefiting forest-restoring Nature Consortium, whose Lisa Corbin shares the invite:
Nature Consortium, in partnership with 12th and Olive Wine Company, is hosting a wine tasting fundraiser in the West Duwamish Greenbelt on Sunday, September 26th from 3-6 pm. Enjoy performances from local musicians while you sample fine wines and take in the surrounding beauty of Seattle’s largest urban forest. Take home your commemorative wine glass as a reminder of your support of Nature Consortium!
See firsthand the amazing results of the hardworking volunteers who have transformed our vital urban forest from an impassable Himalayan Blackberry bramble to a lush area of native trees and understory plants. Suggested donation is $30 per person. You must be 21 to attend this event, and rsvp is required: Lisa@naturec.org or 206.923.0853
Location: West Duwamish Greenbelt, near the restoration site at 14th Ave SW and SW Holly Streets
(specific location details and parking directions upon RSVP)
We will move indoors in case of rain
Then on September 30th – one week from Thursday – you can see fashion from West Seattle boutiques rock the runway, in a fundraiser for the Gulf Restoration Network. Linda Walsh from Clementine in The Junction explains what they’re planning:
Erin Dolan (owner of Edie’s) has pulled together a great event to raise funds to help support The Gulf Restoration Network. Edie’s, Sweetie, Carmilia’s, Coastal and Clementine will all be showcasing items from our fall fashion lineup at Shadowland on September 30th from 6 to 8. We won’t be selling tickets, but people will be encouraged to make donations for the cause! After the fashion show at Shadowland, we’ll host a late-night shopping party (well until 10:00 :-) at Carmilia’s, Sweetie (also featuring items from Edie’s), and Clementine (also featuring items from Coastal.)
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